Can-filling machine.



M? .%%Q I No. 805,190. I PATENTBD NOV. 21, 1905.

' G. H. DUNBAR.

CAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 3.21. 1905. v

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l ,7 Z Y a 1 g i fizveizfwf 775 @966 ,6. eo7rawa32rzmazar M PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

G. H. DUNBAR.

CAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 311.21, 1905.

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No. 805,190. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. G. H. DUNBAR. CAN FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 33.21, 1905.

1/ 1 EN 15 I Q UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

CAN-FILLING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed April 21,1905. Serial No. 256,733.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE HACKER DUN- BAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to what shall for convenience be termed a can-filling machine, for the reason that a machine involving the invention is capable of advantageous use in such connection. The machine can be utilized for supplying to a can a liquid, juice, or other substance. When the material supplied to the can is in the form of a liquid, it may consist of syrup, gravy, or brine, in accordance with the character of the contents of the can or what may be put into the can after it has been charged with the liquid. In the present case, as will hereinafter appear, the can is supplied with some solid food product and afterward cold liquid, although, as will be understood from what has been stated, this is not essential.

One of the primary objects of this invention is the production of an apparatus of the character set forth whereby the cans can be operated automatically from the time they receive their solid contents until they are ready for capping or topping, in the interim they being furnished with a liquid, all as will hereinafter more particularly appear.

The machine is simple in construction, com

pact, and can rapidly operate-upon a large number of cans in a short space of time.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification there is illustrated a form of embodiment involving the invention which will be set forth in detail in the following description; but the invention is not limited to the exact showing thus made, for certain variations may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention covered in the claims succeeding said description.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 1 collectively represent in longitudinal sectional elevation an apparatus involving the invention. Figs. 2 and 2 represent collectively a top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, upon an enlarged scale, of the tank or dipping-box and certain parts therein. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of a part of the conveyer which operates in connection with said tank and a part of the latter with certain rails.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the different views.

The framing for supporting the different parts of the apparatus may be of any suitable character. The framing illustrated is denoted in a general way by 2, and it consists of an intermediate portion directly supporting the tank 3 and front and rear portions for carrying certain belts, hereinafter described. The shape of the tank and the material from which it is made are unimportant points, and hence a detailed description of the same is not necessary. The tank or dipping-box is adapted to contain the liquid to be supplied to the cans, which are caused to positively travel through the same, and this liquid, as hereinbefore stated, may be any suitable kind. As a matter of fact it is not essential that the cans be supplied with liquid. However, the construction illustrated, as will hereinafter appear, is of particular utility when employed for furnishing cans with a liquid.

Cooperative directly with the tank or dipding-box 3 is an endless belt, denoted in a general way by 4 and the upper run of which is adapted to move through the tank for posiless belt may be driven in any desirable wayfor example, by means of sprocket-gearing the driven sprocket-wheel of which is designated by 5 and is shown as carried upon one end of what might be considered the rear shaft of the endless belt or conveyer 4. The endless belt may be of any character, although it is represented as being of sprocket form. The front and rear shafts of the endless belt or conveyer 4 are connected by sprocket-gearing denoted in a general way by 6.

Supported upon the forward extension of the framework 2 is an endless belt or conveyer 7. The rear shaft of the endless belt or conveyer 7 is represented as connected by bevel-gearing, denoted in a general way by 8, with the forward shaft of the endless belt or conveyer 4, whereby the two belts or conveyers will be driven simultaneously. The shafts of the belt or conveyer 7 are vertically disposed, while the belt is adapted to traverse the upper surface of the forward extension of the framing, which constitutes a table for supporting cans.

Supported by the forward extension or table 9 is the vertically-disposed shaft of a rotively conducting the cans with it. The endtative or turn table 10, the shaft of said table, which depends from the same, being connected by bevel and sprocket gearing, denoted in a general way by 11, with the forward shaft of the endless belt or conveyer 4. From this it will be evident that when the belt or conveyer 4 is in operation the'endless belt or conveyer 7 and the turn-table will be simultaneously operated and from power derived from the said belt 4.

1 have described in a very brief manner the connections between the moving parts for the reason that they in themselves form no specific part of the invention. Other connections of a radically-different form may be substituted for those briefly alluded to.

The cans after being filled with fish, fruit, or vegetables are placed by an attendant upon the rotating or turn table 10, the direction of motion of which is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. I have also indicated by arrows the direction of motion of the two belts. hat might be considered the inner run of the belt or conveyer 7 extends across a part of the turn-table. The outer surface of the belt or conveyer 7 has as a part thereof the wings or flights 12, extending at right angles therefrom and which, as will be evident, form pockets upon the exterior of the belt orcon- Veyer to receive cans, a pocket being formed between each two adjacent wings or flights. It therefore follows that as the turn-table and endless belt or conveyer 7 are operated the latter will take the cans placed upon the turntable therefrom and will advance them initially rearward along the stationary table 9 and then forwardly along the same to the tank, so that they can be entered into said tank and received by the upper run of the endless belt or conveyer 4, which positively carries the filled cans through the tank in order that they can receive their necessary supply of liquid while therein.

Upon one side of the tank 3 and carried thereby is an auxiliary tank 13 in. communication with the main tank 3 and which is provided with a float of some suitable kind to indicate the level of the liquid in the main tank. The auxiliary tank or vessel 13 also has some suitable overflow-drain.

Extending longitudinally of the tank are the parallel and laterally-separated stringers 14, which have, commencing with their front ends, first a downward inclination, then a horizontal disposition, or approximately so, and then an upward inclination, the latter upon a plane that is of somewhat compound-curved form. To the upper sides of the stringers l4 and conforming in longitudinal shape therewith are the parallel rails 15, upon the upper sides of which the bottom of a can is adapted to be supported. The rails 15 may be secured to the respective stringers in any desirable way. Supported above the stringers 14 are arranged stringers, as 16, which support side or guide rails 17, the inner edges of which are adapted to eiigage each can at diametrically opposite points to prevent lateral motion of the cans. To adapt the side rails 17 to the particular diameter of cans passing through the tank, they are made adjustable laterally, and each is shown as having upon its outer side ears, as 18, having elongated slots to receive adjusting-bolts, as 19. By loosening the nuts of the bolts the side rails 17 can be moved inward or outward for purpose of adjustment and when in the desired position will be maintained therein by the tightening of the nuts. The endless belt or conveyer 4 is somewhat loose, so that the upper or working run thereof or that part which passes through the tank 3 can hang loose. The part of. the conveyer or belt which traverses the tank engages the rail 20 below the can-supporting rails 15. The rail 20 is lon-- gitudinally shaped to agree with the rails 15 and 17, so as to assure that the cans will b properly moved through the tank.

The endless belt or conveyer4has as a part thereof and exteriorly thereon wings or flights, as 21, producing, as will be apparent, a pocketed belt or conveyer, in the pockets of which the cans may be received. The wings or flights 21, it will be understood, travel between the side rails 17, while the outer surface of the upper run of the belt is substantially in the plane of the upper face of the can-supporting rails 15. It will therefore be understood that the conveyer 7 moves the-cans previously filled away from the turntable 10 along the stationary table 9 and then into the tank, where they can be taken up in succession by the endless conveyer 4, the cans passing from the conveyer 7 into the space between the wings or flights 21 of the belt 4 or the upper run of said belt 4. It will be evident that the upper run of the belt first has a downward inclination, then a horizontal disposition, and then an upward inclination, the level of the liquid in the tank being considerably above such horizontal portion. As a matter fact, the level of the liquid in the tank will be above the upper ends of the open-top cans, so as to assure such liquid passing into desired quantity into said cans. As the cans travel from out of the tank or along the upwardly-inclined rear portions of the rails 15 they assume an angle sufficient to allow superfluous liquid to run from the same and into the tank, so that when the cans stand upright the level of the contents thereof will be such as to allow proper capping or topping of the cans when they reach the soldering apparatus. The rearward extension of the framing, which will be denoted by 22, presents a table and constitutes a support for a belt or conveyer 23 a counterpart of the belt or conveyer 7. The belt or conveyer 23 takes the cans which have been supplied with liquid from the conveyer 4 and moves the der the action of the discharge-belt 23 the exteriors of the cans may be wiped free of the liquid thereupon.

The opposite ends of the side rails 17 are outwardly curved or deflected, so as to assure the ready passage of the cans therebetween and therefrom, and so that the cans can be accurately guided between the rails by the conveyer 7 and from between the rails to the belt or conveyer 23, the opposite ends of what might be considered the inner rail extend short of the corresponding ends of the outer one. Any convenient means, such as sprocket gearing, may be employed for operating the endless discharge belt or conveyer 23.

To prevent upward jumping or displacement of the cans while traveling through the tank, presser devices, each denoted in a general way by 24:, are utilized, the presser devices following somewhat the shape of the several rails 15 and 16. 'lheir ends naturally are upwardly deflected in order to provide for the entrance under and emergence from under said presser devices of the cans. The presser devices are yieldingly mounted so that they can upwardly recede as the cans assume different positions or as the cans vary in height. Each has at desired points in its length angular upwardlyextending arms, each designated by 25, and perforated to receive spindles, as 26, which may consist of bolts, said spindles or bolts being shown as carried upon brackets which overhang the sides of the tank. Between nuts on the upper ends of the spindles or bolts and the horizontal portions of the arms 25 coiled springs are interposed, the springs encircling the respective spindles so as to provide for the yieldable mounting of the presser devices. These presser devices, as will be understood, engage the tops of the cans while traveling through the tank.

The tank or dipping-box 3 is provided with a coil of piping in practice, so as to keep the liquid therein, whatever it may be, at the proper heat for the filling of the cans.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a tank, a table extending from and stationary relatively to the tank, a rotative table overlapping the stationary table between its ends, a conveyer to travel longitudinally of the first-mentioned table and adapted to move cans from the rotary table onto the first-mentioned table and to convey them along the latter to the tank, and conveying means extending through the tank for taking the cans from the said conveyer and moving them positively through the tank.

2. The combination of a tank having downward and upward inclinations, and an intermediate horizontal portion, a stationary table extending from one end of the tank, a rotative table overlapping the stationary table between the ends thereof, a conveyer to travel longitudinally of the stationary table and across the rotative table for moving cans from the rotative table and along the stationary table, and conveying means extending through the tank from the stationary table, adapted to receive cans from the conveyer and to positively move them through the tank.

3. The combination of a tank, a conveyer adapted to travel through said tank to move cans positively therethrough, a stationary table extending from the tank, a rotative table overlapping the stationary table between its ends, a conveyer to move cans from the rotative table and along the stationary table to the first-mentioned conveyer, the latter having a shaft and operative connections between the shafts and the second conveyer and table for driving said second conveyer and table.

4. The combination of a tank, a stationary table extending from one end of the tank, a rotative table overlying the stationary table between the ends of the latter, a conveyer extending longitudinally of the stationary table and across the rotary table for moving cans from the rotative table onto and along the stationary table, means for positively moving the cans from the stationary table entirely through said tank, a second stationary table extending from and onto which the cans are delivered from said tank, and a conveyer for positively moving the cans along the second stationary table.

5. The combination of a tank, a stationary table extendingfrom one end of said tank, a rotative table to overlap the stationary table, a conveyer extending longitudinally of the stationary table and across the rotative table and serving to move cans from the rotative table onto and along the stationary table, a conveyer for moving the cans from the stationary table through the tank, parallel rails in the tank for supporting the cans, and side rails extending through the tank and between which the cans travel.

6. The combination of a tank, a stationary table extending from one end of said tank, a rotative table to overlap the stationary table, a conveyer extending longitudinally of the stationary table and across the rotative table and serving to move cans from the rotative table onto and along the stationary table, a conveyer for moving the cans from the stationary table through the tank, parallel rails in the tank for supporting the cans, side rails extending through the tank and between which the cans travel, and yieldably-mounted presser devices for engaging tops of the cans.

7. The combination of a tank, a stationary table extending from one end of said tank, a rotative table to overlap the stationary table, a conveyer extending longitudinally of the stationary table and across the rotative table and serving to move cans from the rotative table onto and along the stationary table, a conveyer for moving the cans from the stationary table through the tank, parallel rails in the tank for supporting the cans, side rails extending through the tank and between Which the cans travel, yieldably-rnounted I presser devices for engaging tops of the cans, a

IO second stationary table extending from the opposite end of said tank, and a 'con'vey'er to traverse the second table and to move cans from the tank along said second table.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- I5 nesses.

GEORGE HACKER DUNBAR. Witnesses:

GUS A. LLAMBIAZ, RAoUL Noenns. 

